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Dec 5, 2012
12/12
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tomorrow our joint economic committee will be engaged in a hearing on fiscal cliff issues. we'll discuss strategies to create jobs, we'll discuss the implications of the fiscal cliff, and what happens if we don't get some work done by the house to pass the middle-income tax cut. we have to continue to focus on middle-income families, their lives, their struggles and what we can do to ensure they have more dollars in their pocket to continue economic growth. with that, mr. president, i will yield the floor. and note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: mr. schumer: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from new york. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent the quorum call be repealed. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: thank you, mr. president. first i want to thank my great colleague from pennsylvania, i enjoyed sharing a table last night with him and his beautiful, charming, intelligent wife, who he's lucky he would be the first to admit he's lucky to have married, and their four great girls
tomorrow our joint economic committee will be engaged in a hearing on fiscal cliff issues. we'll discuss strategies to create jobs, we'll discuss the implications of the fiscal cliff, and what happens if we don't get some work done by the house to pass the middle-income tax cut. we have to continue to focus on middle-income families, their lives, their struggles and what we can do to ensure they have more dollars in their pocket to continue economic growth. with that, mr. president, i will...
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Dec 13, 2012
12/12
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if congress fails to act and we go over the fiscal cliff, the tax rate on capital gains will increase to 20% on january 1, 2013. in today's fragile economy, with unemployment still hovering around 8%, we should not be raising taxes on capital gains. two years ago, a study by the american council for capital formation showed that increasing the capital gains tax would cause measurable damage to the economy. the study estimated that if the capital gains tax was increased to 20% from 15%, real economic growth would fall by 0.05 percentage points per year and jobs would decline by about 231,000 per year. if the rate is increased to 28%, real economic growth declines by 0.1 percentage points per year and 602,000 fewer jobs are created each year. and the fiscal cliff is only part of the story. in less than a month, a new 3.8% tax on net investment income of single taxpayers earning more than $200 and -- $200,000 and married couples earning more than $250,000 will go into effect as part of the so-called accountable care act. as a result the tax rate on capital gains for upper-income taxpayer
if congress fails to act and we go over the fiscal cliff, the tax rate on capital gains will increase to 20% on january 1, 2013. in today's fragile economy, with unemployment still hovering around 8%, we should not be raising taxes on capital gains. two years ago, a study by the american council for capital formation showed that increasing the capital gains tax would cause measurable damage to the economy. the study estimated that if the capital gains tax was increased to 20% from 15%, real...
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Dec 13, 2012
12/12
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if the president and the senate majority refuse to compromise on the tax portion of the fiscal cliff agreement, the death tax will rise dramatically. arkansas farmers will be forced to hand over to uncle sam up to 55% of the value of family farmer states that are worth more than $1 million beginning in 2013. this would have a truly devastating impact on nearly a quarter of arkansas' family farms and ranches. with 97% of arkansas' farms being family owned, there is great concern among these agricultural producers, among our farmers, our timberland owners about the current inaction on the fiscal cliff, the fiscal crisis. a good example is allen nipper. he is a timber landowner who operates a tree farm in magnolia, arkansas. he wrote to me about what he rightfully calls multiple taxation. he says we know our lands provide clean water and wildlife habitats that benefit society in general without us expecting a handout or a payment for providing those services. he goes on to say but then at my death, the government wants to take up to 55% of the value after i have invested my efforts into
if the president and the senate majority refuse to compromise on the tax portion of the fiscal cliff agreement, the death tax will rise dramatically. arkansas farmers will be forced to hand over to uncle sam up to 55% of the value of family farmer states that are worth more than $1 million beginning in 2013. this would have a truly devastating impact on nearly a quarter of arkansas' family farms and ranches. with 97% of arkansas' farms being family owned, there is great concern among these...
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Dec 6, 2012
12/12
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she wrote concerned about tax increases and this fiscal cliff. she said, "the middle class is the heart and soul of this country. what keeps it going and growing? what else can we be hit with? i know i cannot take anything more on financially." so my first call today, madam president, is let's give deborah and families like hers in delaware and around the country the serntle before we end this -- the certainty before we end this calendar year of knowing their taxes will not go up in 26 days when the calendar turns to 201. one way to do that is for the moushouse to take up the legisln that this body has already considered in a bipartisan way that would extend the tax cuts for 98% of families and 97% of small businesses while also achieving nearly d is trillion of debt and deficit reduction. this bill extends tax cuts that would otherwise expire for all americans who earn income and for all small businesses, but just on the first $250,000. tax ratetax rates on income abot would revert to tax rates during the clinton administration. this one step wo
she wrote concerned about tax increases and this fiscal cliff. she said, "the middle class is the heart and soul of this country. what keeps it going and growing? what else can we be hit with? i know i cannot take anything more on financially." so my first call today, madam president, is let's give deborah and families like hers in delaware and around the country the serntle before we end this -- the certainty before we end this calendar year of knowing their taxes will not go up in...
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Dec 6, 2012
12/12
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a second reason that the tax extenders are different from other issues related to the fiscal cliff is that we have a tax extenders bill that's already been voted on in committee. by contrast, none of us know how the disagreements about the bush tax cuts or sequestration will be resolved. those negotiations are yet to conclude, but the tax extenders bill has already been negotiated in the finance committee. the committee agreed to permit provisions costing billions of dollars. it modified other provisions to make them work better or to scale back on them. the finance committee approved this bill by a vote of 19-5. some senators believe tax extenders should only be approved as part of a plan to do comprehensive tax reform. i would agree that each tax extender and each tax expenditure should be examined again during comprehensive tax reform. each should be made permanent or fazed out based on that review, but realistically, the congress will not make those decisions before the end of this year. tax reform will take the better part of a year to accomplish or perhaps even longer. we will n
a second reason that the tax extenders are different from other issues related to the fiscal cliff is that we have a tax extenders bill that's already been voted on in committee. by contrast, none of us know how the disagreements about the bush tax cuts or sequestration will be resolved. those negotiations are yet to conclude, but the tax extenders bill has already been negotiated in the finance committee. the committee agreed to permit provisions costing billions of dollars. it modified other...
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Dec 5, 2012
12/12
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there are several parts to this fiscal cliff. the biggest one is that the bush-era tax cuts are expiring on 100% of the people, and if they expire, it means people will have to pay more in taxes at a time when we don't want them to have to struggle. we want them to have disposable income because it's good for their families and it's good for the economy, it's good for business, it's good for economic growth. the bush-era tax cuts are expiring on december 31. why don't we find the common ground, get rid of that issue, get those tax cuts to the 98% of the middle class that need them and fight about the millionaires and the billionaires later? they are okay. they are just fine. and if we were to do that, that simple step -- and that means passing our bill that we passed on july 25. we did it. it's done. we don't have to worry about -- we did our job over here. we got the votes. pick it up and pass it over there. now, i understand that democratic leader pelosi has done something very interesting. she has taken this bill, the same exa
there are several parts to this fiscal cliff. the biggest one is that the bush-era tax cuts are expiring on 100% of the people, and if they expire, it means people will have to pay more in taxes at a time when we don't want them to have to struggle. we want them to have disposable income because it's good for their families and it's good for the economy, it's good for business, it's good for economic growth. the bush-era tax cuts are expiring on december 31. why don't we find the common ground,...
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Dec 6, 2012
12/12
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that's a different movie. >> the fiscal cliff. yesterday abc wrote republican doomsday snow. doomsday scenario was that you vote for the senate bill extended bush tax cuts 4908% of the people. say that's it, no more. "the new york times" today, it's a fallback position. specters well i don't want to -- apocalyptics have because i am confident there's enough people, a majority of people in this town to extend what we're doing here, with playing chicken with is the most important country in the world. we are on the verge of doing some significant things. to this enormous an extraordinary country. i don't think anyone wants to be part of the republic. that being said, before we talk about fiscal cliff, we'll get because the last fiscal cliff. we had another fiscal cliff types of new with the debt limit to create a center that led to this ridiculous idea that i voted against that let's put a bunch of bad things to happen at one time because that will force washington to do something. surprise, it didn't work. here we are again. so we have to issues. number one is an immediate ter
that's a different movie. >> the fiscal cliff. yesterday abc wrote republican doomsday snow. doomsday scenario was that you vote for the senate bill extended bush tax cuts 4908% of the people. say that's it, no more. "the new york times" today, it's a fallback position. specters well i don't want to -- apocalyptics have because i am confident there's enough people, a majority of people in this town to extend what we're doing here, with playing chicken with is the most important...
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Dec 13, 2012
12/12
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as david pointed out, the fiscal cliff is more than the massive tax increases and the spending cuts. it's also about a number of other things including an extended unemployment benefits and the dock fix and so -- doc fix and so forth. there's a number of things that really need to be addressed, but as i think, this discussion is not about the fiscal cliff per se because if congress and president come together quickly and pass a bill very easy that puts off of the fiscal cliff, either in large period of time or indefinitely. it really is about making a down payment as both rudy and david have said on closing deficits in the future, but i would say it's also really about the president's campaign, not just in the past election, but the first -- his first election to hike taxes on the successful. that's really what this boils down to. i think we absolutely have to see some real leadership, though, on the more longer term budget unsustainable issues. what we don't need is campaigning. what we don't need is negotiating in the political theater. when we see that stop, then, perhaps, we'll k
as david pointed out, the fiscal cliff is more than the massive tax increases and the spending cuts. it's also about a number of other things including an extended unemployment benefits and the dock fix and so -- doc fix and so forth. there's a number of things that really need to be addressed, but as i think, this discussion is not about the fiscal cliff per se because if congress and president come together quickly and pass a bill very easy that puts off of the fiscal cliff, either in large...
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Dec 12, 2012
12/12
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those are the tax increases that are coming regardless of what happens with the fiscal cliff. and those are the tax hikes that we're seeing because of president obama's health care law. people who have been following this closely know that president obama's health care law guarantees that middle-class families will pay higher taxes. the president promised repea repeatedly that he would not raise taxes on the middle class. as a matter of fact he said -- quote -- "if you're a family making less than $200,00200,000a year, my plan won't raise your taxes one opiniony. not your income taxes, not your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes." that's what the president said. but once he got into office, president obama arranged for his health care plan to be written behind closed doors. democrats in congress passed it, and they did it strictly along party lines. this law has included more than 20 different tax increases. these tax increases amount to more than a trillion dollars over the next ten years. of those, a dozen taxes specifically targeted middle-cl
those are the tax increases that are coming regardless of what happens with the fiscal cliff. and those are the tax hikes that we're seeing because of president obama's health care law. people who have been following this closely know that president obama's health care law guarantees that middle-class families will pay higher taxes. the president promised repea repeatedly that he would not raise taxes on the middle class. as a matter of fact he said -- quote -- "if you're a family making...
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Dec 7, 2012
12/12
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. >> we've all heard about this fiscal cliff. that's the convergence of higher tax rates and, of course, all the spending. >> both parties, democrats and the republicans need to come together. >> the our three branches of government, and congress, and the president are equal. and pretty much neither one has the right position for the country. >> i know that america is going to be a great country again. and that will fix the problems we have at home, and bring together the two parties that are dividing the country, and fighting for different things. i know that this is going to happen. >> we're only going to get out of this together. we're not going to get out of it as a democrat. we're not going to get out of it as republican. we're going to get out of it as an american. >> thank you, ed. thank you, joan. we're going to get on with a program right now. let the introduce the moderator of that program, ron brownstein. on its editorial director of the "national journal," which means he oversees all the little coverage coming out of
. >> we've all heard about this fiscal cliff. that's the convergence of higher tax rates and, of course, all the spending. >> both parties, democrats and the republicans need to come together. >> the our three branches of government, and congress, and the president are equal. and pretty much neither one has the right position for the country. >> i know that america is going to be a great country again. and that will fix the problems we have at home, and bring together...
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Dec 11, 2012
12/12
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but first during this talk about the fiscal cliff and about the tax cuts that sunset at the end of the year, all we've been hearing since the election is about what are we going to do about taxes? that's a very significant thing as a result of the last election because i think it's a foregone conclusion there's going to be more revenue raised. but if we raise the amount of revenue that the president wants raised and raise it from the 2% that he wants to raise it from -- the wealthy -- that's only going to run the government for eight days. so what do you do the other 357 days? or if you look at the deficit, it will only take care of 7% of the $1 trillion-plus deficit that we have every year. what about the other 93%? so the point being that we can talk about taxes and taxes and taxes, but it's not going to solve the fiscal problems facing our nation. we don't have a taxing problem. we have a spending problem. and so we should have been spending the last three weeks talking about how we're going to take care of the other 93% of the problem. the president should have declared victory thr
but first during this talk about the fiscal cliff and about the tax cuts that sunset at the end of the year, all we've been hearing since the election is about what are we going to do about taxes? that's a very significant thing as a result of the last election because i think it's a foregone conclusion there's going to be more revenue raised. but if we raise the amount of revenue that the president wants raised and raise it from the 2% that he wants to raise it from -- the wealthy -- that's...
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Dec 10, 2012
12/12
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president, the fiscal cliff presents us with a pivotal moment. how we tax our citizens is ultimately a question of what we stand for. with respect to the death tax, the question is whether we stand for families and jobs or whether we stand for redistribution regardless of the consequences. we need to resolve the death tax policy. we can no longer afford to put small business, family farms and individuals in a position where each year uncertainty about the death tax rate and exemption amount causes them to divert income away from creating jobs and towards unnecessary death tax planning. this is important stuff, and it's not something that can just blindly, just wipe out. it is time for the president to lead on this issue. the president tellingly said when he was running for president in 2008 that his experience running for president was one of the critical bullets on his resume qualifying him for the job. other than writing and part-time teaching, president obama has made a career running for office. well, he will never run for office again, as fa
president, the fiscal cliff presents us with a pivotal moment. how we tax our citizens is ultimately a question of what we stand for. with respect to the death tax, the question is whether we stand for families and jobs or whether we stand for redistribution regardless of the consequences. we need to resolve the death tax policy. we can no longer afford to put small business, family farms and individuals in a position where each year uncertainty about the death tax rate and exemption amount...
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Dec 11, 2012
12/12
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president, my last comments have to do with the fiscal cliff. and i stand here 21 days before tax cuts on all americans are going to rise. and they will go up an average $2,200 on an average middle-class family. that's the bad news, they're going to rise. here's the great news. the great news is, the senate already passed legislation to fix the problem. and guess what? we didn't do it yesterday or the day before yesterday. we saw it coming and we passed it on july 25, 2012. we passed the middle class tax cuts. my understanding is we took care of the a.m.t. and the fact is, that you will has to happen -- and the fact is, all that has to happen is for the those take up our bill. if they take up our bill and they pass our bill, we will see everyone in america keep the tax cuts up to $250,000 in income and after that $250,000, we will go back to the clinton rates. here's the really good news, if we do that, we will raise a trillion dollars and reduce our debt by a trillion dollars. there is no reason why speaker boehner shouldn't bring this bill to
president, my last comments have to do with the fiscal cliff. and i stand here 21 days before tax cuts on all americans are going to rise. and they will go up an average $2,200 on an average middle-class family. that's the bad news, they're going to rise. here's the great news. the great news is, the senate already passed legislation to fix the problem. and guess what? we didn't do it yesterday or the day before yesterday. we saw it coming and we passed it on july 25, 2012. we passed the middle...
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Dec 12, 2012
12/12
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cliff, the disastrous i ask unanimous consent sequences of our not acting, tax increases for every american taxpayer, massive cuts to defense at a time when the threats around the world are as varied and as great as we've seen in a long time. other essential programs of the federal government being affected by that. that's the last thing we need in this tepid economy with a lot of people out of work and hoping for some consensus to come together to provide a -- a long-term solution to our fiscal problem that continues to have a negative effect on our economy and more importantly, keeps people out of work. and so as that clock ticks, some are saying, well, partisanship is just too great in washington. the country's too divided. we're not going to be able to reach a consensus here in terms of how to address this problem. i disagree with that. over the last two years, and more, we have had a number of proposals brought forward on a bipartisan basis. it started with simpson-bowles, the former chief of staff to president clinton and al for a lon time, recognized asy two individuals that could ta
cliff, the disastrous i ask unanimous consent sequences of our not acting, tax increases for every american taxpayer, massive cuts to defense at a time when the threats around the world are as varied and as great as we've seen in a long time. other essential programs of the federal government being affected by that. that's the last thing we need in this tepid economy with a lot of people out of work and hoping for some consensus to come together to provide a -- a long-term solution to our...
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Dec 12, 2012
12/12
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because of the fiscal cliff. i hope that both democrats and republicans in the house agree these working families don't need a tax increase. those who should pay an additional amount are those in the highest income categories. that's what president obama said. when we voted in the senate, we said those making $250,000 or less, those families, should have no increase in the income tax. i appeal to speaker boehner before he takes another recess in the house, please call this measure and pass it. it will give peace of mind to literally millions of american families who are wondering what's going to happen january 1. these are families, many of which, struggle from paycheck to paycheck. they have been falling behind. i get letters from them. from lansing, illinois, linda prototo me and said please vote to keep middle-class taxes from rising. $2,000, which is what they would increase on average, would help me to keep food on the table and gas in my car. it could even help someone else. please vote for the middle class
because of the fiscal cliff. i hope that both democrats and republicans in the house agree these working families don't need a tax increase. those who should pay an additional amount are those in the highest income categories. that's what president obama said. when we voted in the senate, we said those making $250,000 or less, those families, should have no increase in the income tax. i appeal to speaker boehner before he takes another recess in the house, please call this measure and pass it....
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Dec 10, 2012
12/12
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they met yesterday to discuss the fiscal cliff. the president will visit a diameter eco-plant in redford. and as "the detroit news" reports, the company plans to announce $109 investment in that plan for new technology and expanding their production. you can watch the president's remarks live at about 2:00 eastern over on our companion network, c-span. >> friday, former reagan officials reflected on the 1987 negotiations on a nuclear missile treaty with the soviet union. the intermediate nuclear forces treaty, or inf, led to the destruction of thousands of europe-based nuclear missiles on both sides. speakers here will include former assistant secretary of state richard burt, former u.s. ambassador to the soviet union, jack matlock, and will also there from former assistant secretary of state rozanne ridgway. the american foreign service association posted this hour and 20 minute event. >> i would like to wish all other good morning. one. i'm susan johnson, the president and i would like to extend a very warm welcome to you all. an
they met yesterday to discuss the fiscal cliff. the president will visit a diameter eco-plant in redford. and as "the detroit news" reports, the company plans to announce $109 investment in that plan for new technology and expanding their production. you can watch the president's remarks live at about 2:00 eastern over on our companion network, c-span. >> friday, former reagan officials reflected on the 1987 negotiations on a nuclear missile treaty with the soviet union. the...
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Dec 11, 2012
12/12
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cliff. he said at one point that the president is calling for raising taxes $1.6 billion. that's true. but i would call to his attention the fact that the simpson-bowles commission suggested that 40% of the $4 trillion in deficit reduction come from revenue in taxes. what the president is suggesting is entirely consistent with that bipartisan group's call for more revenue in taxes as part of our deficit reduction. the president's made it clear, though, he wants to protect and insulate middle-income families from any income tax increases, and i agree with him. we should not raise the income taxes on those making less than $250,000 a year. i voted that way in july. we sent the bill to the house. it sits there. it languishes in the house because the speaker won't call it. he has his chance this week or the next to call that bill on the floor of the house of representatives to avoid any tax increase on middle-income families. that's an important thing for us to get done before we leave at the en
cliff. he said at one point that the president is calling for raising taxes $1.6 billion. that's true. but i would call to his attention the fact that the simpson-bowles commission suggested that 40% of the $4 trillion in deficit reduction come from revenue in taxes. what the president is suggesting is entirely consistent with that bipartisan group's call for more revenue in taxes as part of our deficit reduction. the president's made it clear, though, he wants to protect and insulate...
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Dec 7, 2012
12/12
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it's like fiscal cliff bungee jumping. i believe the odds are good that there'll be some sort of deal made. >> let's get into the longer-term deal which i think almost everyone agrees, entitlement reform and tax reform is going to take place in 2013 and maybe 14. it's a long process but just in the short term, can the republicans, can enough republicans while a win say we don't like it but we will have to go along for now whether it's 39.6% rate in comeback with the promise next year of trying to lower it and broaden the base? >> i would much prefer we do the kind of reform that i laid out in a bill a few weeks ago, not inking this bill would become law but this bill would show a path forward with $4.5 trillion in savings. i think that, in the event that the house feels that when they see that the senate is obviously controlled by the democratic party and the democratic president, he basically have a president, let's say without being too exhorted is a one trick pony. the rate has always been talked about and really nothin
it's like fiscal cliff bungee jumping. i believe the odds are good that there'll be some sort of deal made. >> let's get into the longer-term deal which i think almost everyone agrees, entitlement reform and tax reform is going to take place in 2013 and maybe 14. it's a long process but just in the short term, can the republicans, can enough republicans while a win say we don't like it but we will have to go along for now whether it's 39.6% rate in comeback with the promise next year of...